2001 KIA SPECTRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

56

Owner Complaints

19 Crashes 2 Fires

0

Recalls

NO ACTIVE RECALLS

3

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

The 2001 KIA SPECTRA has received a total of 56 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (5 complaints), Power Train (5 complaints), and Air Bags (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

56 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 5 5 Crashes 5 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 5 2 Crashes
Air Bags
Complaints: 4 3 Crashes 3 Injuries
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 2
Electrical System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Seats
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Tires
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10651640 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
CAR SMELLS HORRIBLY LIKE GAS FUMES WHEN TURNED ON, MORE SO IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. BREATHING GAS FUMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER PROBLEMS...WOULD BE HORRIBLE IF KIA HAD A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THEIR CAR OWNERS... *TR
#10594233 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 92,600 miles Fire
2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED DOWN FUEL LINES TO GAS TANK. ENTIRE CAR BURNED. CAR IS TOTALED. FIRE CHIEF CANNOT SAY IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL, WIRING OR WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IN ENGINE. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCT 2001, ONE OWNER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THIS OR ANY OTHER KIA MODELS. *TR
#10594233 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 92,600 miles Fire
2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED DOWN FUEL LINES TO GAS TANK. ENTIRE CAR BURNED. CAR IS TOTALED. FIRE CHIEF CANNOT SAY IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL, WIRING OR WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IN ENGINE. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCT 2001, ONE OWNER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THIS OR ANY OTHER KIA MODELS. *TR
#10537366 | AIR BAGS | | 140,000 miles Crash 1 Injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SEVERE PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING HER NECK AND CHEST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN
#10537367 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
MY DAUGHTER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND WITH HER CAR. THE UPON IMPACT THE CAR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING VERY HARD. SHE ENDED UP WITH CHEST, NECK AND SHOULDER SEVERE PAIN. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE. RADIATOR FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. *TR

View all Air Bagsfrontal complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 KIA SPECTRA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

Kia America, Inc. has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

KT-2008110606 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

KT-2008110606 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

KT-2008110606 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 KIA SPECTRA

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2001 KIA SPECTRA.

Investigation EA04004 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Closed

Opened:

REFUELING SPIT BACK

Other Model Years of the KIA SPECTRA

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Other KIA Models

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